Staying In the Public Eye Is How Reppa Ton Makes It Happen

“I never really followed trends nor the sound that people are gravitating too. Most of my success has been through showing my face and my skill on the stage and releasing dope music in places where people can sit down and absorb the greatness.”

Check out the interview with Reppa Ton exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.

Skilly: Tell us where this all began. What is your history in the music scene?Reppa Ton: I actually fell into the music scene on accidental purpose. I’ve always been serious about my music, but I never knew the steps to take to be successful. I stumbled by my homie Roger one day and since then he opened this path of success for my career by introducing me to the right people.

He and my mentor (who was one of the first hip hop DJs in Richmond) both put me under their wing along with some other major movements who peeped my skill. As a rapper I’ve opened up and had meetings with some big names. On production I’ve worked on some classic material with great artists.

What are the best ways to promote yourself as an artist? Any tips you can give us?
Personally, I found the best way to promote yourself is show yourself. I never really followed trends nor the sound that people are gravitating to. Most of my success has been through showing my face and my skill on the stage and releasing dope music in places where people can sit down and absorb the greatness.

Being an artist, one of the best things we can do is show how much we relate to the audience. Tips I would have is know your sound and your audience and take over where you think they pay the most attention whether it be blogs or radio or even can food drives.

What do you ultimately want to become in your career?
The greatest musician to ever make music. I want to be known for my sounds like Jesus is known for his words.

What is the hardest thing about being in the music business?
Being yourself. It’s so hard when you know this style can make you money and get you fame in a sense. Even on the flipped spectrum. I love country music, but I have to fight myself to not make a country song because I know that’s not a Reppa Ton step. Staying within your own realm is possibly the hardest thing about the music business.

What is it like in your city? What is the music scene like, and how is it like living there overall?
It’s very artistic in my city, even though we are coming out a great music depression where everybody had a “crab in the barrel” attitude. We are now more ready than ever to be among the elite musicians on hip hop. It’s bittersweet living here, but I’d like to feel like that’s pretty much anywhere you spend 22 years in.

What are some of advice you can give and share to other artists who are still trying to come up?
Be yourself, study the art, study the game, and if you don’t take this game serious please leave it to the professionals. This isn’t a get rich quick scheme, this is life to many of us and some of the peers trying to come up need room to come up. If you do take this serious game serious, never conform but never be afraid of change.

What is the best thing that’s ever happened in your career?
Dropping my first album Forever Changes, having my first legit single “Timeless” featuring J-Leel, and my second single “Coast 66” featuring Dez on airwaves around the world, and headlining my first show in my hometown. All in the same year.

What is your inspiration?
Life’s nature and any good forms of art.

Do you feel anyone can be successful now in today’s world of music?
It depends on what their perception off success is. I feel if you anybody can put their mind to be successful then they can be successful, but if they doubt themselves then to hell with it.

Where can we find you on social media?
Twitter: @ReppaTon
Instagram: @ReppaTonMusic
Facebook: @Reppa Ton
Soundcloud: @thrii-letter